2. Suffering John 9:1-5

3. Introduction Many who refuse to believe in God claim to do so because of “the problem of suffering” –The thought goes something like... If there is an all-powerful God –And if He is a loving God –Then He could not allow so much suffering in the world? –Therefore, God is either not loving, not all- powerful, or does not exist Others, who believe, feel there must be a justifiable reason for all suffering –So after personal or national tragedy, they ask, “Why?”

4. Who Sinned? John 9:1-5 –The disciples see a man born blind They assume the blindness must be a punishment Their only question is “Who sinned?” –Can a baby be guilty of sin before birth? –Can someone be made to suffer as a result of a different person’s sin? –Jesus points out their conclusions are wrong and their assumption is wrong What does the Bible teach about the reasons for suffering?

5. Punishment for own sin Although Jesus points out the disciples were wrong in this case –He does not say suffering is never punishment 2 Chr 26:16-21 –King Uzziah was given leprosy for his sin Others were similarly punished: Miriam (leprosy), Jeroboam (withered arm), Jonah (swallowed), etc God doesn’t always directly act to punish sins –But He has arranged the world so that some sins are more likely to produce suffering (Romans 1:26-27)

6. Consequence of another’s sin We know that the actions of one often have consequences for others –Many sins directly cause others to suffer (assault, rape, theft, etc) –Others have suffering as an indirect result When one engages in sinful behavior and becomes infected with AIDS or other STDs –They may pass those diseases to others who did not engage in those sins »Through birth, blood, coughs, etc –Lam 5:7

7. Suffering for righteousness Job’s friends thought punishment was the only answer to suffering (Job 4:7) –But we know Job actually suffered because he was righteous (Job 1:8-12, 2:3-7) Satan used suffering as a tool to tempt Job to sin –Satan still seeks to lead the righteous from God 1 Pet 5:6-10 –If suffering will make us turn from God, then Satan will use that avenue 1 Pet 4:12-16 –Christ suffered while righteous –Just make sure your suffering isn’t for unrighteousness

8. Suffering to improve Perhaps a “sub-category” to suffering for righteousness –Some trials are there to make us better Whether or not Satan instigates the trial Jas 1:2-4 –2 Cor 12:7-10 »Made Paul more dependent on Christ Isa 43:1-2; Zech 13:9 –Through the fire, like metal being refined »Can be true even when one fails, if he learns and makes changes (1 Cor 3:12-15)

9. Suffering in the world Eccl 9:11-12 –Suffering sometimes happens by random chance (accidents, natural disasters, disease) Suffering and death are a result of the fall of man (Gen 3:16-19) All suffering helps us eagerly wait for heaven (Rom 8:18-22) –Suffering teaches us the need to repent now, whether or not we are the ones directly affected (Lk 13:1-6)

10. Suffering for a greater purpose Consider Sarah, Abraham’s wife –She suffered being barren for 90 years Not to punish her But so that God’s purpose could be shown clearly through her Consider Lazarus (who we’ll discuss in Jn 11) –He sickened and died Jn 11:4 – but there was a greater purpose served Consider the blind man –Jn 9:3-5 – his blindness allowed Jesus to demonstrate the works of God The removal of sin and the consequences

11. Will we know why we suffer? Not always –If it’s a direct or indirect consequence of someone’s sin, then perhaps we’ll know –If it’s a direct result of our serving God, then perhaps we’ll know But Job was never told why He suffered If we have sinned, then let the suffering lead us to repentance If we know we are not suffering for our own sins, let the suffering make us more dependent on Christ and long for heaven

12. Conclusion What about those who feel there can’t be a God who allows suffering? –They fail to see that much suffering is the result of man’s sinful actions (war, famine, crime, drugs, some diseases, persecutions) In fact all suffering began as a result of sin –They fail to see that some good results from suffering (repentance, God’s purposes, reliance on God, refining, longing for heaven) God created a perfect place, man sinned, suffering is a consequence of that sin –But God has used that consequence as a means of bring us back to Him